Baylor School of Engineering and Computer Science, UMHB Sign Agreement

Baylor University's School of Engineering and Computer Science and the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton have signed an articulation agreement that allows students to start their engineering studies at UMHB and transfer to Baylor after three years.

Called the Young Engineering Students (YES) program, the agreement will offer students, who have completed three years of engineering classes at UMHB and have an interest in engineering, the opportunity to transfer to Baylor. Once at Baylor, students will spend about two years finishing their degree requirements. When the student completes the program, they will earn two degrees: a bachelor of science degree in engineering science from UMHB and an accredited bachelor of science in engineering degree from Baylor. Students may choose to pursue a bachelor of science in either general engineering, mechanical engineering, or electrical and computer engineering.

"We foresee a bright future for this program as it will allow us to bring highly qualified students to Baylor that we know have the capability to not only finish their engineering degrees, but to exceed in their field," said Cynthia Fry, senior lecturer and assistant dean of Baylor's School of Engineering and Computer Science, who helped foster the agreement between the two schools. "For students, it gives them a way to transfer to Baylor and finish their degree. We appreciate having the opportunity to collaborate with UMHB."

At UMHB, students will take basic courses, such as English, history and religion, as well as prerequisite courses in mathematics, science, computer science and engineering. Students also will be expected to maintain a strong grade point average to qualify for admission to the engineering program at Baylor.

"We've been interested in starting a pre-engineering program at UMHB for a number of years," said Dr. Bill Tanner, chair of the department of computer science and engineering at UMHB. "There is a shortage of engineers in Texas and this program will help address that need. The affiliation between the two schools makes for an attractive recruiting point, because students know they will get a personalized undergraduate experience at UMHB and the chance to complete their degrees at a nationally recognized engineering school at Baylor."

Administrators at Baylor's School of Engineering, which was ranked 11th in the nation by U.S News and World Report, said the entire program will take about five years to complete. Currently, there are about 30 students signed up for the program.